ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Swellnet Sessions

Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal: Day 1

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Thu 10 October 12:00am

Competition began straight off the bat at the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal - first day of the waiting period and they're into Round 1. The World Title may be decided here at Portugal so there's a delicious backstory running through the heats: Mick or Kelly, who'll be the champ?

Swellnet Sessions

Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal: Day 1

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Thu 10 October 12:00am

Competition began straight off the bat at the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal - first day of the waiting period and they're into Round 1. The World Title may be decided here at Portugal so there's a delicious backstory running through the heats: Mick or Kelly, who'll be the champ?

Swellnet Sessions

Parko's Year

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Mon 17 December 12:00am

It was a year marked by consistency and highlighted by one of the most exciting title showdowns in a decade. Going into the final contest of the year, the Pipeline Masters, Kelly Slater had three wins for the year while Joel Parkinson had none. However, he'd also placed 9th or higher in every contest of the year including three second place finishes.

On Saturday he went one higher and won the Pipeline Masters. More importantly he progressed further than Kelly Slater, who was knocked out in the semi finals, and thus Joel Parkinson became the 2012 World Title.

Swellnet Sessions

Parko's Year

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Mon 17 December 12:00am

It was a year marked by consistency and highlighted by one of the most exciting title showdowns in a decade. Going into the final contest of the year, the Pipeline Masters, Kelly Slater had three wins for the year while Joel Parkinson had none. However, he'd also placed 9th or higher in every contest of the year including three second place finishes.

On Saturday he went one higher and won the Pipeline Masters. More importantly he progressed further than Kelly Slater, who was knocked out in the semi finals, and thus Joel Parkinson became the 2012 World Title.

Swellnet Sessions

Pipeline Donuts

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Mon 17 December 12:00am

Yeah the barrel rides were OK and the world title biz was a mild distraction, but what the punters really want to see when Pipe is roaring is some Top 34 carnage. Here are some of the better dismounts at the Pipe Masters, beginning with two from Josh Kerr, the latter earning him a trip to the hospital for a scan. Josh hopped back on the horse for a second place finish.

All photos ASP.

Swellnet Sessions

Pipeline Donuts

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Mon 17 December 12:00am

Yeah the barrel rides were OK and the world title biz was a mild distraction, but what the punters really want to see when Pipe is roaring is some Top 34 carnage. Here are some of the better dismounts at the Pipe Masters, beginning with two from Josh Kerr, the latter earning him a trip to the hospital for a scan. Josh hopped back on the horse for a second place finish.

All photos ASP.

Swellnet Sessions

The Billabong Pipeline Masters Day 2

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Mon 10 December 12:00am

In the race for the title the dark horse has fallen by the wayside. Mick Fanning, who was a longshot for the crown and had to win the contest, failed to advance out of his Round 3 heat against Shane Dorian. Meanwhile, Parko and Slater have kept the vibe alive both progressing out of Rd 3 and Parko also winning his Rd 4 heat meaning he jumps straight to the Quarters.

For a full recap click here.

Photos by ASP/Cestari, Dunbar, Kirstin.

Swellnet Sessions

The Billabong Pipeline Masters Day 2

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Mon 10 December 12:00am

In the race for the title the dark horse has fallen by the wayside. Mick Fanning, who was a longshot for the crown and had to win the contest, failed to advance out of his Round 3 heat against Shane Dorian. Meanwhile, Parko and Slater have kept the vibe alive both progressing out of Rd 3 and Parko also winning his Rd 4 heat meaning he jumps straight to the Quarters.

For a full recap click here.

Photos by ASP/Cestari, Dunbar, Kirstin.

Swellnet Sessions

The Billabong Pipeline Masters Day 1

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Sun 9 December 12:00am

It was a fitting opening day for the final comp of the year. The comp that will decide the 2012 title. Starting out undersized and inconsistent the north-west swell just kept getting bigger as the day progressed with semi regular sets breaking on second reef by the time the sun went down. Meanwhile, on first reef there were some wild barrels and acts of bravado as the back-22 surfers of the WT surfers threw caution to the wind and wildcards claimed a few scalps.

Tomorrow should resume with the swell similar size as late today before tapering throughout the day.

Swellnet Sessions

The Billabong Pipeline Masters Day 1

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Sun 9 December 12:00am

It was a fitting opening day for the final comp of the year. The comp that will decide the 2012 title. Starting out undersized and inconsistent the north-west swell just kept getting bigger as the day progressed with semi regular sets breaking on second reef by the time the sun went down. Meanwhile, on first reef there were some wild barrels and acts of bravado as the back-22 surfers of the WT surfers threw caution to the wind and wildcards claimed a few scalps.

Tomorrow should resume with the swell similar size as late today before tapering throughout the day.

Swellnet Sessions

Pipeline

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Tue 4 December 12:00am

There's less than a week to go till the waiting period for the Pipeline Masters - the final event on the ASP World Tour - begins. This year's Pipe Masters will be one for the ages with an epic World Title showdown between Parko and Kelly Slater already written into the script.

As keen followers we can only hope and pray that the contest is blessed with good surf to make the battle a fair one. And on that note, here is our early forecast for the Pipe Masters.

Swellnet Sessions

Pipeline

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Tue 4 December 12:00am

There's less than a week to go till the waiting period for the Pipeline Masters - the final event on the ASP World Tour - begins. This year's Pipe Masters will be one for the ages with an epic World Title showdown between Parko and Kelly Slater already written into the script.

As keen followers we can only hope and pray that the contest is blessed with good surf to make the battle a fair one. And on that note, here is our early forecast for the Pipe Masters.

Swellnet Sessions

Vans World Cup of Surfing Day 3

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Tue 4 December 12:00am

Sunset is a tricky beast of a wave at the best of times. Put a light south-west wind on it and an inconsistent swell and it becomes a lottery, ten-point rides are followed by two-point back ups. Advancing out of a heat can seem like pure dumb luck, until, that is, you see the names of those advancing: Florence, Slater, Perrow, O'Brien. Evidently it's those who manage their luck out at Sunset.

Swellnet Sessions

Vans World Cup of Surfing Day 3

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Tue 4 December 12:00am

Sunset is a tricky beast of a wave at the best of times. Put a light south-west wind on it and an inconsistent swell and it becomes a lottery, ten-point rides are followed by two-point back ups. Advancing out of a heat can seem like pure dumb luck, until, that is, you see the names of those advancing: Florence, Slater, Perrow, O'Brien. Evidently it's those who manage their luck out at Sunset.

Swellnet Sessions

Vans World Cup of Surfing Day 2

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Mon 3 December 12:00am

More photos from the Vans World Cup of Surfing. Reporting on the comp from here in Sydney has gotten all too much for me, I can't continue with the lies! Check the photos below for a review of Day 2 or click here for a press release from someone who was actually there and watching the contest.

Photos ASP/Cestari, Kirstin.

Swellnet Sessions

Vans World Cup of Surfing Day 2

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Mon 3 December 12:00am

More photos from the Vans World Cup of Surfing. Reporting on the comp from here in Sydney has gotten all too much for me, I can't continue with the lies! Check the photos below for a review of Day 2 or click here for a press release from someone who was actually there and watching the contest.

Photos ASP/Cestari, Kirstin.

Swellnet Sessions

Vans World Cup of Surfing Day 1

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Wed 28 November 12:00am

Mid-size Sunset doesn't translate to video very well - looks slow and shifty, it's the sort of wave you need to feel the power. The webcast therefore can be a bit of a dull affair as we're used to death-or-glory heroics or small wave acrobatics.

Capture it in still photos, however, and the viewer gets a better appreciation of what the surfer is doing and feeling. Long driving arcs with plenty of wet rail, deep barrels and gnarly end section reos are best viewed in frozen moments when the gravity of the situation can be adequately surmised.

Swellnet Sessions

Vans World Cup of Surfing Day 1

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Wed 28 November 12:00am

Mid-size Sunset doesn't translate to video very well - looks slow and shifty, it's the sort of wave you need to feel the power. The webcast therefore can be a bit of a dull affair as we're used to death-or-glory heroics or small wave acrobatics.

Capture it in still photos, however, and the viewer gets a better appreciation of what the surfer is doing and feeling. Long driving arcs with plenty of wet rail, deep barrels and gnarly end section reos are best viewed in frozen moments when the gravity of the situation can be adequately surmised.

Swellnet Sessions

Reef Hawaiian Pro - Day 4

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Mon 26 November 12:00am

Some days are diamonds, as the saying goes, and yesterday a shining example for Kauaiian, Sebastian Zietz. In winning the Reef Hawaiian Pro he scored $40,000 prizemoney, took a lead in the Triple Crown, and, best of all, qualified for the 2013 Top 34. It was an incredible win for the unassuming fella who's made a name for himself charging the North Shore but remains largely unknown elsewhere. Following yesterday's win that'll soon change.

For a full write up click here: http://swllnt.com/V0Ec1w

Swellnet Sessions

Reef Hawaiian Pro - Day 4

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Mon 26 November 12:00am

Some days are diamonds, as the saying goes, and yesterday a shining example for Kauaiian, Sebastian Zietz. In winning the Reef Hawaiian Pro he scored $40,000 prizemoney, took a lead in the Triple Crown, and, best of all, qualified for the 2013 Top 34. It was an incredible win for the unassuming fella who's made a name for himself charging the North Shore but remains largely unknown elsewhere. Following yesterday's win that'll soon change.

For a full write up click here: http://swllnt.com/V0Ec1w

Swellnet Sessions

Reef Hawaiian Pro - Day 3

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Mon 19 November 12:00am

Not much to say about the Day 3 of the Reef Hawaiian Pro, I wasn't there and I didn't watch the webcast. At this juncture (6am Monday morning) I don't even have the energy to make something up, suffice to say the surf looked so-so but the surfing top notch, at least going by these photos.

For a full write up by someone who was actually at the contest click here.

Swellnet Sessions

Reef Hawaiian Pro - Day 3

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Mon 19 November 12:00am

Not much to say about the Day 3 of the Reef Hawaiian Pro, I wasn't there and I didn't watch the webcast. At this juncture (6am Monday morning) I don't even have the energy to make something up, suffice to say the surf looked so-so but the surfing top notch, at least going by these photos.

For a full write up by someone who was actually at the contest click here.

Swellnet Sessions

Reef Hawaiian Pro - Day 2

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Sat 17 November 12:00am

Swellnet Sessions

Reef Hawaiian Pro - Day 2

ASP/ Cestari, Kirstin

Sat 17 November 12:00am